Colour Me Beautiful or House of Colour (in Manchester) ?

[Montifer]

I'd like to get my colours 'done' and there are consultants from both CMB and HOC locally (south Manchester).

I presume the approach is pretty similar with both, does anyone have any experience of either?

I'd welcome any recommendations.

[OurLadyOfPerpetualSupper]

I went to HOC as that was the only one available in my area.
I also thought CMB was a naff name.
It was okay (really useful actually), but it did feel like a bit of a conveyor belt, and I was glad there were only two of us when I went - a bigger group would mean less attention.

[Montifer]

Glad to hear you found it useful, I've been threatening to do it for ages and as my wardrobe needs a complete overhaul I reckon now is a good time.

I agree, CMB does sound a bit wanky.

Having looked at the consultant's websites it looks like the CMB one is much more make up focussed and as I rarely wear any think HOC would be better.

I wondered about the group size being 'up to 4', this is supposed to be me time after all, not complete stranger time

[amh101]

I wanted some 'me time' as well and was lucky enough to get a gift package from my husband for a Colour Me Beautiful gift package for an image consultation. I didn't really know what to expect but am now a CMB convert!

They've completely revamped their system - getting away from the colour seasons and have a more up-to-date and flexible approach. I found out what colours of clothes suited my colouring. I was a bit apprenhensive about this, but she showed right and wrong colours and it really made a difference!

I was then shown which styles were best for my body shape and lifestyle. She did touch a bit on make-up (which surprisingly I found quite interesting as a minimal make-up wearer myself) - it was mainly focused on colours & styles of clothes though.

My 'consultant' as they are called was lovely. It was kind of like having my own Trinny&Susannah/Gok session, but with a very down-to-earth lady I could relate to. Would highly recommend this to other mums out there!

[Mimi1977]

I've only had the house of colour done but went with my mum who has had both and she said house of colour much better.

With HoC they not only tell you what season you are but go into more detail such as if you are Vibrant Autumn or Blue Autumn (like me so suit navy blue, peacock blue, purple)
It's also great as you rate each colour in the season spectrum so for example for me, Purple is 100% which means I can wear it head to foot and look great, Lime green however is only 25% which means I can wear it but more like a scarf or a pair of shoes - more as an accent of colour.

I really enjoyed it and used to wear loads of pink which now I've had my colours done I realise doesn't actually suit me like I thought and there is more to colours than just liking them.

[OurLadyOfPerpetualSupper]

I've also had the image consultation done (at HOC) and it has revamped my wardrobe.

Took a long time as I coundn't afford to trash everything and start again, but at least if I was buying, say, a new top, it would be a top that definitely suited my colouring and style.

In fact, am going for a make up lesson next week.

[Montifer]

Thanks Mithered, great to hear you got so much out of it.
The 'Me' time factor does appeal.

Thing is, if I took my make up along it would be my tube of tinted moisturiser which I get out for special occasions; oh and my lip balm of course!

Could I ask who your 'Consultant' was and if you would recommend her?
(Don't worry if you would rather not divulge)

Am getting quite excited about my imminent revamp, am expecting great things

[Mithered]

She was an older lady but very nice. I think I need mothering at the moment!

Don't really want to reveal as I post on mental health and have probably revealed too much about where I live thinking about it.

Eeek

[Montifer]

Mithered, sorry if I asked you to divulge TMI.

Thanks very much for your replies

[SmallestInTheClass]

Hi Montifer, just wondering if you went ahead. I'm in Manchester and was thinking of getting this done so would be grateful for recommendations!